 | Flytrippers cofounder |
After 3 months of traveling in all sorts of places in West Africa, we used 2 of our 35,000-point Marriott Bonvoy free night certificates at La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire’s main city, for a nice 3-day luxury reset in April 2024.
With the record-high deal on both Marriott Bonvoy cards that ends September 22, it’s a great time to finally get those certificates (and a ton of points, too).
You can also read the overview of my trip to Côte d’Ivoire. Flytrippers aims to help you travel for less through our 3 types of content, namely flight deals, travel rewards, and tips/inspiration/news.
Here’s my review of La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels.
What is it like to stay at La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels?
La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels has an older style that feels very classy and fits the place really well.
It’s a member of Design Hotels, and the design really is the whole point here. The ground level was full of big plants and trees, with a beautiful pool, and they also had a nice gym that I used all 3 days. I highly recommend the hotel.
What is the price of La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels?
We redeemed 2 of our 35,000-point free night certificates, with no top-up required. The price in cash is 135000 XOF to 155000 XOF per night. The Classic Suite we got a free upgrade to was 241600 XOF per night.
Caroline and I have 4 Canadian Marriott cards between us (both cards each), which is what all Canadian couples who like to travel should also do.
We never close these 2 specific cards because it’s always easy to get more value from each certificate than the annual fee (120 CAD for the Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card and 150 CAD for the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex Card). Think of it as prepaying a much more expensive night.
Contrary to the common misconception, you do not need an incorporated business to get the business card, and each card gives you 1 certificate every year after the first renewal.
|
Best credit cards for Marriott points |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 LUCRATIVENo min. inc.
 Valuation (BONUS)(≈ 19.6% back on $6k)
Rewards: ≈ $1293
Card fee: $120 (≈ 19.6% back on $6k)
Rewards: ≈ $1293
Card fee: $120
Spend required:
$6k in 6 mos. spend $6k in 6 mos. &
make 1 purchase in month 15 Best for: 122,000 pts after welcome bonus
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LUCRATIVENo min. inc.
Valuation (BONUS)(≈ 11.9% back on $10k)
Rewards: ≈ $1335
Card fee: $150 (≈ 11.9% back on $10k)
Rewards: ≈ $1335
Card fee: $150
Spend required:
$10k in 6 mos. spend $10k in 6 mos. &
make 1 purchase in month 15 Best for: 130,000 pts after welcome bonus
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information. |
The record-high welcome bonus is only until September 22, 2026, so it’s a good time to finally get them if you don’t already have both.
Where is La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels located?
La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels is in Les Deux Plateaux, a leafy residential part of Abidjan, and it would have been a convenient base to explore from, but we were staying in the city for another 2 weeks, so we decided to only enjoy the hotel instead.
We got there with Yango (Uber there) from Grand-Bassam after 4 nights on the coast. Yango and Bolt are both very convenient to move around town.
How was the check-in experience at La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels?
The ground level at La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels was open and very lush with vegetation. There were big plants and trees everywhere between the buildings.
We waited at the bar for about 20 minutes while they finished the room, since we got there early.
Check-in was easy, and the staff at the desk spoke French and English.
We had 2 separate reservations as is often the case with certificates. We simply told them at check-in that we wanted the same room both nights.
They gave us a free upgrade from the Standard Room we booked to a suite. And they gave us early check-in. Thanks to our Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
I had Platinum status then and Caroline had Titanium. Platinum got us the same upgrade and breakfast as Titanium. The welcome amenities were the only real difference: her Titanium night came with real champagne, while my Platinum night came with a still very nice red wine, and we each got a fruit basket.
Many hotels skip the second set of amenities when you stay in the same room, but we got both, which was nice.
What is the room like at La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels?
The Classic Suite at La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels was our upgrade from the standard room we booked. It had an older style, but it felt very classy and fit the hotel.
The living room had a couch and a table.
There was also a nice desk for work.
There was a half bathroom off that living area.
The bedroom was off to the side.
It had a queen bed.
There was a fridge and coffee machine in the suite.
The main bathroom had a nice shower.
The window overlooked the pool and the main courtyard.
What amenities are offered at La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels?
The courtyard pool at La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels was beautiful.
The gym was great (it was much bigger than that photo makes it look), and I used it all 3 days.
The gardens between the buildings were full of those same big plants and trees.
There was no VIP hotel lounge.
How was the food and beverage at La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels?
Breakfast at La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels was included with status, and it was a good buffet.
We didn’t use the restaurant there, but instead ordered from a delivery app and ate dinner in the room with the wine.
Learning how to travel for less
Join over 150,000 savvy Canadian travelers who already receive Flytrippers’ free newsletter so we can help you travel for less (and inspire you, too)!
Sign up for our free newsletter
Sign up for our newsletter
Summary
At La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels, our Classic Suite was a nice luxury reset after a long stretch in West Africa. Caroline swam in the beautiful pool, I used the great gym, and I would stay again with a 35,000-point Marriott Bonvoy free night certificate.
What would you like to know about my review of La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels? Tell us in the comments below.
See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights
Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards
Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration
Learn pro tricks: Travel tips
Featured image: La Maison Palmier, a Member of Design Hotels (Marriott) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (photo credit: Kevin Gagnon/Flytrippers)
